LTE Spectrum Sharing Research Testbed: Integrated Hardware, Software, Network and Data

This paper presents Virginia Tech's wireless testbed supporting research on long-term evolution (LTE) signaling and radio frequency (RF) spectrum coexistence. LTE is continuously refined and new features released. As the communications contexts for LTE expand, new research problems arise and include operation in harsh RF signaling environments and coexistence with other radios. Our testbed provides an integrated research tool for investigating these and other research problems; it allows analyzing the severity of the problem, designing and rapidly prototyping solutions, and assessing them with standard-compliant equipment and test procedures. The modular testbed integrates general-purpose software-defined radio hardware, LTE-specific test equipment, RF components, free open-source and commercial LTE software, a configurable RF network and recorded radar waveform samples. It supports RF channel emulated and over-the-air radiated modes. The testbed can be remotely accessed and configured. An RF switching network allows for designing many different experiments that can involve a variety of real and virtual radios with support for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna operation. We present the testbed, the research it has enabled and some valuable lessons that we learned and that may help designing, developing, and operating future wireless testbeds.Comment: In Proceeding of the 10th ACM International Workshop on Wireless Network Testbeds, Experimental Evaluation & Characterization (WiNTECH), Snowbird, Utah, October 201

A Site Evaluation Campaign for a Ground Based Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope in Romania

Around the world, several scientific projects share the interest of a global network of small Cherenkov telescopes for monitoring observations of the brightest blazars - the DWARF network. A small, ground based, imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope of last generation is intended to be installed and operated in Romania as a component of the DWARF network. To prepare the construction of the observatory, two support projects have been initiated. Within the framework of these projects, we have assessed a number of possible sites where to settle the observatory. In this paper we submit a brief report on the general characteristics of the best four sites selected after the local infrastructure, the nearby facilities and the social impact criteria have been applied.Comment: 6 pages, 5 Postscript figure

Synergizing Roadway Infrastructure Investment with Digital Infrastructure for Infrastructure-Based Connected Vehicle Applications: Review of Current Status and Future Directions

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.The safety, mobility, environmental and economic benefits of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) are potentially dramatic. However, realization of these benefits largely hinges on the timely upgrading of the existing transportation system. CAVs must be enabled to send and receive data to and from other vehicles and drivers (V2V communication) and to and from infrastructure (V2I communication). Further, infrastructure and the transportation agencies that manage it must be able to collect, process, distribute and archive these data quickly, reliably, and securely. This paper focuses on current digital roadway infrastructure initiatives and highlights the importance of including digital infrastructure investment alongside more traditional infrastructure investment to keep up with the auto industry's push towards this real time communication and data processing capability. Agencies responsible for transportation infrastructure construction and management must collaborate, establishing national and international platforms to guide the planning, deployment and management of digital infrastructure in their jurisdictions. This will help create standardized interoperable national and international systems so that CAV technology is not deployed in a haphazard and uncoordinated manner

Are low cost accountability, communications, and management systems for emergency first responders using 3G and 4G cellular technologies feasible?

Reliable, easily deployed communication networks are a necessity for emergency responders as the coordination of their efforts and their safety depend on it. As a volunteer firefighter, this researcher is aware of the shortcomings of the current communication technologies presently deployed, and the risks it poses to firefighters. Some studies have proposed deployment of sophisticated hybrid, mesh networks and mobile ad hoc networks that allow for location tracking, environment and personnel vital signs monitoring, and data communications. Unfortunately the cost of these systems and required training in use of the equipment inhibits their adoption and wide scale deployment across the nation\u27s emergency responder agencies. We are surrounded by secure, reliable cellular network technologies that meet our voice and data communication needs, yet current studies focus on building network infrastructures from the ground up and discussing how to address the security and performance issues of their proposed networks. This study proposes the use of the existing cellular network architecture already in place across the nation as a foundation to explore the feasibility of a low cost communication, management and accountability system utilizing 3G and 4G technologies and architecture

A Survey on Remote Operation of Road Vehicles

In recent years, the use of remote operation has been proposed as a bridge towards driverless mobility by providing human assistance remotely when an automated driving system finds a situation that is ambiguous and requires input from a remote operator. The remote operation of road vehicles has also been proposed as a way to enable drivers to operate vehicles from safer and more comfortable locations. While commercial solutions for remote operation exist, remaining challenges are being tackled by the research community, who is continuously testing and validating the feasibility of deploying remote operation of road vehicles on public roads. These tests range from the technological scope to social aspects such as acceptability and usability that affect human performance. This survey presents a compilation of works that approach the remote operation of road vehicles. We start by describing the basic architecture of remote operation systems and classify their modes of operation depending on the level of human intervention. We use this classification to organize and present recent and relevant work on the field from industry and academia. Finally, we identify the challenges in the deployment of remote operation systems in the technological, regulatory, and commercial scopes

Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategic Plan (Phase I Report)

This interim report on an Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategic (ITS) Plan has been developed as documentation of the process of offering a vision for ITS and recommending an outline for organizational structure, infrastructure, and long-term planning for ITS in Kentucky. This plan provides an overview of the broad scope of ITS and relationships between various Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS) functional areas and ITS user service areas. Three of the functional areas of ITS have been addressed in this interim report with sections devoted to mission, vision, goals, and potential technology applications. Within each of the three areas, recommendations have been made for applications and technologies for deployment. A more formalized business plan for will be developed to recommend specific projects for implementation. Those three functional areas are 1) Advanced Rural Transportation Systems (ARTS), 2) Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS), and 3) Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO). A survey of other states was conducted to determine the status of the development of ITS strategic plans. Information received from the 11 states that had completed strategic plans was used to determine the overall approach taken in development of the plans and to evaluate the essential contents of the reports for application in Kentucky. Kentucky\u27s ITS Strategic Plan evolved from an early decision by representatives of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) to formalize the procedure by requesting the Kentucky Transportation Center to prepare a work plan outlining the proposed tasks. Following several introductory meetings of the Study Advisory Committee, additional focus group meetings were held with various transportation representatives to identify ITS issues of importance. Results from these meetings were compiled and used as input to the planning process for development of the Strategic Plan components of ARTS and ATIS. The development of a strategic plan for Commercial Vehicle Operations originated from a different procedure than did the other functional areas of ITS. As part of well-developed commercial vehicle activities through the ITS-related programs of Advantage I-75 and CVISN, Kentucky has become a national leader in this area and has developed a strategic plan of advanced technology applications to commercial vehicles. The strategic plan for Commercial Vehicle Operations was developed out of the convergence of several parallel processes in Kentucky. Empower Kentucky work teams had met over a two-year period to develop improved and more efficient processes for CVO in Kentucky. Their conclusions and recommendations encouraged the further activities of the Kentucky ITS/CVO working group that first convened in the summer of 1996. In an effort to conceptually organize the various ITS/CVO activities in Kentucky, and as a commitment to the CVISN Mainstreaming plan, an inclusive visioning exercise was held in early 1997. Out of this exercise emerged the six critical vision elements that guided the CVO strategic plan. The remaining functional areas to be included in the ITS Strategic Plan will be addressed in the second phase of this study. Those areas are Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS), and Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS). It is anticipated that a process similar to that developed for the first phase of this study will continue